First of the three conditioning camps gets underway in Abbottabad

Pakistan players receive army training

Cricinfo staff

June 12, 2007

Shoaib Akhtar is all set to make his international comeback after injury, suspension and withdrawal kept him out for about six months © AFP

Pakistani cricketers are being trained by military personnel at the 'conditioning' camp being held in the northern city of Abbottabad. The camp, first of the set of three to be held this summer, is being held at a military base aimed at helping Pakistan's injury-prone cricketers to get in shape for a demanding international season.

Talat Ali, Pakistan team manager who is also supervising the two-week camp, said that all the players are 'enjoying this new regimental routine'. "The cricketers are really happy with the sort of physical training they are receiving from a team of Army trainers," he told The News. "The boys have told me that such training drills are new for them and they've really welcomed it."

Few of the strict rules and regulations attendees must adhere to while at this camp have been relaxed due to the presence of national stars but others, like showing up formally dressed for lunch and dinner, have been enforced. "There is a strict dress code at the mess and everybody including the players has to follow it. It is really good to see the cricketers turning up for their meals at the given time, immaculately dressed."

The pool of 20 players invited to the camp includes Shoaib Akhtar who is all set to make his international comeback next month in Scotland. "I'm really pleased at the way Shoaib is enjoying himself here. He is working hard on his fitness and I'm sure he would be in full flow soon," said Talat.

The camp concludes on June 26 when the players will undergo a fitness test. "We have complete data on the players' fitness taken at the last training camp in Lahore and fresh tests would help us know the sort of improvement they have achieved from this camp," he added.

Pakistan's 14-man squad for the ODIs against Scotland and India is to be announced on June 16 and the team will depart on June 28.

© Cricinfo

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